Company Registration No. 09400277 (England and Wales)
SUBSTANTIVE RESEARCH LIMITED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
PAGES FOR FILING WITH REGISTRAR
SUBSTANTIVE RESEARCH LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Balance sheet
1
Statement of changes in equity
2
Notes to the financial statements
3 - 10
SUBSTANTIVE RESEARCH LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 JANUARY 2025
31 January 2025
- 1 -
2025
2024
as restated
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
3
2,228
7,192
Investments
4
719
2,228
7,911
Current assets
Debtors
5
525,801
462,104
Cash at bank and in hand
137,675
14,512
663,476
476,616
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
6
(1,376,858)
(1,202,716)
Net current liabilities
(713,382)
(726,100)
Total assets less current liabilities
(711,154)
(718,189)
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
7
(250,000)
Net liabilities
(961,154)
(718,189)
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
9
2
2
Share premium account
1,880,261
1,772,219
Profit and loss reserves
(2,841,417)
(2,490,410)
Total equity
(961,154)
(718,189)
The directors of the company have elected not to include a copy of the profit and loss account within the financial statements.true
These financial statements have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 28 October 2025 and are signed on its behalf by:
Mr MS Carrodus
Director
Company Registration No. 09400277
SUBSTANTIVE RESEARCH LIMITED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
- 2 -
Share capital
Share premium account
Profit and loss reserves
Total
Notes
£
£
£
£
As restated for the period ended 31 January 2024:
Balance at 1 February 2023
2
1,772,219
(2,120,375)
(348,154)
Year ended 31 January 2024:
Loss and total comprehensive income for the year
-
-
(370,035)
(370,035)
Balance at 31 January 2024
2
1,772,219
(2,490,410)
(718,189)
Year ended 31 January 2025:
Loss and total comprehensive income for the year
-
-
(445,869)
(445,869)
Issue of share capital
9
108,042
-
108,042
Credit to equity for equity settled share-based payments
8
-
-
94,862
94,862
Balance at 31 January 2025
2
1,880,261
(2,841,417)
(961,154)
SUBSTANTIVE RESEARCH LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
- 3 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information
Substantive Research Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 11th Floor 25 North Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HS.
1.1
Accounting convention
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The disclosure requirements of section 1A of FRS 102 have been applied other than where additional disclosure is required to show a true and fair view.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2
Going concern
The company has incurred a loss of £445,869 in the year, and has net current liabilities of £713,382 at 31 January 2025, and net liabilities of £961,154. Liabilities include £1,037,650 of deferred income, which are not liabilities to be settled in cash, and therefore the company is cash solvent at the balance sheet date. The directors have undertaken an exercise to review the appropriateness of the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. The company continually updates its trading and cashflow forecasts, covering the next 5 years, with key assumptions reviewed by the board.
Substantive Research Limited have entered into a group loan facility with a fellow group company with an aggregate value of £1,500,000, where no repayment is due until November 2027. The loan facility is available to be drawn upon as required by Substantive Research Limited. Forecasts have been prepared which show significant continued revenue growth and the application of reasonable assumptions regarding potential downside scenarios, without reliance on the loan facility. As such, with the support of the loan facility, along with cashflow forecasts, the directors are satisfied the company has sufficient resources to meet its obligations as they fall due for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements, and therefore that it is appropriate to prepare these accounts on a going concern basis.
1.3
Turnover
Turnover is recognised at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, and is shown net of VAT and other sales related taxes. The fair value of consideration takes into account trade discounts, settlement discounts and volume rebates.
Revenue from subscriptions for the provision of professional services is recognised evenly over the subscription period. Event income is recognised at the time of the event.
1.4
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Fixtures and fittings
4 years straight line
Computers
3 years straight line
SUBSTANTIVE RESEARCH LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 4 -
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is credited or charged to profit or loss.
1.5
Fixed asset investments
Interests in subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. The investments are assessed for impairment at each reporting date and any impairment losses or reversals of impairment losses are recognised immediately in profit or loss.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the company. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
An associate is an entity, being neither a subsidiary nor a joint venture, in which the company holds a long-term interest and where the company has significant influence. The company considers that it has significant influence where it has the power to participate in the financial and operating decisions of the associate.
Entities in which the company has a long term interest and shares control under a contractual arrangement are classified as jointly controlled entities.
1.6
Impairment of fixed assets
At each reporting period end date, the company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the company estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs.
1.7
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents are basic financial assets and include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
1.8
Financial instruments
The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Classification of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting all of its liabilities.
SUBSTANTIVE RESEARCH LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 5 -
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, bank loans, loans from fellow group companies and preference shares that are classified as debt, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
1.9
Equity instruments
Equity instruments issued by the company are recorded at the proceeds received, net of transaction costs. Dividends payable on equity instruments are recognised as liabilities once they are no longer at the discretion of the company.
Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recognised in profit or loss immediately, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk.
1.10
Taxation
The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
Current tax
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the profit and loss account because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The company’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting end date.
Deferred tax
Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all timing differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that they will be recovered against the reversal of deferred tax liabilities or other future taxable profits. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the timing difference arises from goodwill or from the initial recognition of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting end date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the profit and loss account, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when the company has a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and the deferred tax assets and liabilities relate to taxes levied by the same tax authority.
SUBSTANTIVE RESEARCH LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 6 -
1.11
Employee benefits
The costs of short-term employee benefits are recognised as a liability and an expense, unless those costs are required to be recognised as part of the cost of stock or fixed assets.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
1.12
Retirement benefits
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
1.13
Share-based payments
Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value at the date of grant by reference to the fair value of the equity instruments granted using the Black-Scholes model. The fair value determined at the grant date is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the estimate of shares that will eventually vest. A corresponding adjustment is made to equity.
When the terms and conditions of equity-settled share-based payments at the time they were granted are subsequently modified, the fair value of the share-based payment under the original terms and conditions and under the modified terms and conditions are both determined at the date of the modification. Any excess of the modified fair value over the original fair value is recognised over the remaining vesting period in addition to the grant date fair value of the original share-based payment. The share-based payment expense is not adjusted if the modified fair value is less than the original fair value.
Cancellations or settlements (including those resulting from employee redundancies) are treated as an acceleration of vesting and the amount that would have been recognised over the remaining vesting period is recognised immediately.
1.14
Leases
Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to profit or loss on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease except where another more systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern in which economic benefits from the leases asset are consumed.
1.15
Foreign exchange
Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation are included in the profit and loss account for the period.
2
Employees
The average monthly number of persons (including directors) employed by the company during the year was:
2025
2024
Number
Number
Total
16
15
SUBSTANTIVE RESEARCH LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
- 7 -
3
Tangible fixed assets
Plant and machinery etc
£
Cost
At 1 February 2024
26,963
Additions
1,036
At 31 January 2025
27,999
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 February 2024
19,771
Depreciation charged in the year
6,000
At 31 January 2025
25,771
Carrying amount
At 31 January 2025
2,228
At 31 January 2024
7,192
4
Fixed asset investments
2025
2024
£
£
Shares in group undertakings and participating interests
719
Movements in fixed asset investments
Shares in subsidiaries
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 February 2024
719
Disposals
(719)
At 31 January 2025
-
Carrying amount
At 31 January 2025
-
At 31 January 2024
719
Investment held in the prior year was for 100% shareholding of Substantive Research (Americas) Inc. The company was dissolved on 11 September 2024.
SUBSTANTIVE RESEARCH LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
- 8 -
5
Debtors
2025
2024
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Trade debtors
458,251
304,476
Corporation tax recoverable
21,168
61,657
Amounts owed by group undertakings
52,781
Other debtors
46,382
43,190
525,801
462,104
Amounts owed by group undertakings is interest free and repayable on demand.
6
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
£
£
Bank loans and overdrafts
32,613
Trade creditors
115,896
80,558
Taxation and social security
93,035
141,728
Deferred income
1,037,650
846,255
Other creditors
20,981
Accruals
130,277
80,581
1,376,858
1,202,716
The bank also holds a limited guarantee given by one of the directors for £50,000 (2024: £50,000).
7
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
2025
2024
£
£
Other creditors
250,000
Other creditors included above is a loan from a fellow group company. Interest is charged at the current SONIA rate plus 0.55%. Loan is repayable on 26 November 2027.
SUBSTANTIVE RESEARCH LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
- 9 -
8
Share-based payment transactions
Number of share options
Weighted average exercise price
2025
2024
2025
2024
Number
Number
£
£
Outstanding at 1 February 2024
13,738
8,612
4.72
4.72
Granted
9,152
8,558
4.72
4.72
Forfeited
4.72
Exercised
4.72
Outstanding at 31 January 2025
13,738
4.72
Exercisable at 31 January 2025
The options outstanding at 31 January 2024 had an exercise price of £4.72, and a remaining contractual life of 8-9 years. The share options vest upon an exit event. An exit event occurred on 16 September 2024 where all shares option were exercised and the related charge of £94,862 was recognised.
The options are granted over £0.00001 E Ordinary shares.
9
Called up share capital
2025
2024
2025
2024
Ordinary share capital
Number
Number
£
£
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of 0.001p each
245,505
113,572
2
2
Ordinary AA shares of 0.001p each
0
46,184
Ordinary A shares of 0.001p each
0
5,000
Ordinary B shares of 0.001p each
0
8,000
Ordinary C shares of 0.001p each
0
10,000
Ordinary D shares of 0.001p each
-
39,859
-
-
On 16 September 2024, 13,738 share options were vested and exercised, resulting in the issuing of 22,890 Ordinary E shares of 0.001p each. Also on 16 September 2024, a special resolution was passed where all share classes (other than ordinary) were redesignated as Ordinary shares of 0.001p each. As such all shares at year end are Ordinary shares.
10
Audit report information
As the income statement has been omitted from the filing copy of the financial statements, the following information in relation to the audit report on the statutory financial statements is provided in accordance with s444(5B) of the Companies Act 2006:
The auditor's report was unqualified.
The senior statutory auditor was Barry Masson and the auditor was Johnston Carmichael LLP.
SUBSTANTIVE RESEARCH LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2025
- 10 -
11
Related party transactions
Transactions with related parties
At the year end £0 (2024: £20,981) was due to directors in the form of directors' loan accounts.
Other information
The company has taken advantage of the exemption within FRS 102 Section 33 paragraph 33.1A from the requirement to disclose transactions with other wholly owned companies in the same group.
12
Ultimate controlling party
Euronext UK Holdings Ltd holds 100% of the company's shares. Euronext N.V. is the ultimate controlling party.
13
Prior period adjustment
In preparation of these financial statements, deferred income at 31 January 2024 was recalculated in order to reflect subscription revenue being deferred based on the number of days remaining in the subscription period. Previously this had been estimated using a monthly rather than daily allocation of revenue, however as the difference is considered material, a restatement of figures previously reported has been made with the following effect:
Decrease in revenue reported for the year ended 31 January 2024 £69,321
Increase in deferred income at 31 January 2024 £69,321
With a resultant debit to profit and loss reserves of £69,321
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